Collier Legal, LLC

06/09/2026

Who owns intellectual property created through university research?

Many researchers assume they own the inventions they help create. In reality, ownership often depends on university policies, employment agreements, funding sources, and federal laws such as the Bayh Dole Act.

Our latest article explains how universities, faculty members, students, and research sponsors may each have rights in university developed intellectual property.

Read more:
https://collierlegaloh.com/who-owns-university-research-ip/

Discover how university research IP ownership works, including inventorship, assignment agreements, licensing, and university spinouts.

05/25/2026

Signing a trademark license is only the beginning. If it is not properly monitored, it can create “naked license” risk that may weaken trademark rights.

This article explains what can go wrong and why ongoing oversight matters.

A signed trademark license is not enough. Learn how unmonitored trademark use can create naked license risk and threaten brand rights.

05/08/2026

The USPTO issued a significant SMED update on April 30, 2026, revising guidance concerning Rule 132 Subject Matter Eligibility Declarations used to address § 101 patent eligibility rejections.

The update is especially relevant for:
• Software patents
• Artificial intelligence inventions
• Fintech applications
• Medical diagnostics
• Other technologies facing abstract idea rejections

The revised guidance suggests the USPTO is increasingly receptive to factual evidence demonstrating concrete technological improvements and practical applications.

Read our analysis here:
https://collierlegaloh.com/uspto-smed-update-april-2026/

The USPTO SMED update issued April 30, 2026 revises guidance for Rule 132 subject matter eligibility declarations.

04/12/2026

Who owns an employee’s invention?

It is not always the employer. Without a proper invention assignment agreement, employees may retain ownership, and companies may be left with only limited rights.

This article explains how patent law, contracts, and employment roles determine ownership.

Who owns employee inventions? Learn how invention assignment agreements, shop rights, and patent law determine ownership.

03/31/2026

Trademark protection does not always start with registration.

If you are using a name, logo, or slogan in commerce, you may already have common law trademark rights. These rights arise automatically, but they are limited in scope and can be difficult to enforce as your business grows.

This article explains how common law trademark rights work, their limitations, and when registration becomes important.

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Learn what common law trademark rights are, how they differ from federal registration, and how businesses can protect their brand.

03/13/2026

Many companies assume the only way to profit from an invention is to manufacture and sell the product themselves. In reality, patents can also generate revenue through licensing.

Patent licensing allows the patent owner to grant another company permission to use, manufacture, or sell a patented technology in exchange for royalties or other payments. This allows businesses to monetize intellectual property without building manufacturing or distribution infrastructure. ([Collier Legal][1])

This article explains how patent licensing works and why it is a key strategy for technology companies and inventors.

Read the full article here:
https://collierlegaloh.com/patent-licensing-how-businesses-monetize-intellectual-property/



[1]: https://collierlegaloh.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Intellectual Property Law Firm - Collier Legal"

02/23/2026

Where does real innovation happen in cosmetics?

Not just in ingredients, but in how formulations are built, delivered, stabilized, and engineered to perform.

Learn what creates patentable novelty in modern cosmetic formulations and how companies protect those advances.

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02/05/2026

A Letter of Protest allows limited evidence to be submitted to the USPTO during trademark examination, but it has strict limits and is often misunderstood. This post explains how it works, when it is appropriate, and when it is not.

A Letter of Protest lets third parties submit evidence to the USPTO against a pending trademark application.

01/23/2026

Closing a business involves more than stopping operations.

Business dissolution is a formal legal process that affects taxes, contracts, and long-term liability for owners. Handling it incorrectly can create problems years later.

Our latest post explains what business owners should know before dissolving a company and how to reduce risk during the process.

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Learn what business dissolution is, when it makes sense, and the legal steps required to properly close a company and avoid future liability.

12/26/2025

Patent protection doesn’t stop at filing — ongoing monitoring matters. 📈
Learn how a patent watch helps you spot risks early, refine strategy, and safeguard your innovation.
👉 Read here:

Patent watch services help businesses monitor new patent filings, identify competitive risks early, and protect innovation.